Church notes

Tickets are available for Handel’s “Messiah,” which will be performed at 7 p.m., Dec. 23, in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City.

This period performance will feature the Spire Baroque Orchestra and soloists from the choir.

To purchase tickets, call 816-994-7222, or for more information, call 816-994-7200.

‘The Endowment’

is focus of event

Faye Shaw will come to Faith Bible College to discuss Earl Curry work “The Endowment.” It from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the college, 210 S. Main St., Independence.

Shaw is with the Christian Center for Book of Mormon Study and Research. She will share about Earl Curry and his “The Endowment.”

For more information, call Randall Lawrence at 816-872-0087.

Glenwood Park

free health clinic

Glenwood Park Methodist Church is having a free health clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at the church.

The screenings, sponsored by the Black Nurse Association and Samuel Rodgers, include glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index testing. The church, at 10000 E. 23rd St., Independence, holds the clinics on the first Saturday of the month.

Also on Saturday, the church is holding its annual Harvest Potato Drop. They will be giving away 4,000 pounds of potatoes free while they last.

For more information, call the church at 816-254-5116.

Learning to cope

with loss and grief

“Coping with Loss through the Holidays” will be presented by Harold Ivan Smith from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence.

Smith does seminars and has written books on grief and spirituality. He is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and a faculty member of the American Academy of Bereavement. He is the author of “Grieving the Death of a Mother,” “On Grieving the Death of a Father” and “When Your Friend Dies.”

This session is free and open to the public. Park in north parking lot. For more information, contact, Lee Ward or Betsy Bain at the parish office 816-373-2600.

This presentation combines close family harmony with accomplished instrumentals for a fun, motivational experience. “Take a Stand” is not only the group’s signature song, it is a triumphant theme, considering Pam was once told she would never stand or walk again.

For information, call Brenda Sanders at 816-257-2080.

Bible classes set

Cornerstone Church of Blue Springs’ satellite campus of Covenant Bible College and Seminary is enrolling students for the winter/spring term starting in January.

Classes are four weeks long. The first-year program includes foundations of faith, Foundations of Faith, an Old and New Testament survey, and the life of Christ.

For more information, call the church at 816-228-1979.

Trouble, triumph

in sermon series

“Messages from the Wilderness” is the sermon series at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.

The church, based in Leawood, has a campus at 601 E. Jefferson, Blue Springs. Worship is at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sundays. Nursery care for children from birth through age 3 is available, and Sunday school is for children age 4 through the fifth grade during services. All are invited for coffee before worship near the east entrance.

The sermon series highlights the idea that the wilderness is both a harsh and barren place and a metaphor for times when life is difficult. The sermons will focus on five Biblical figures:

• Nov. 3, “Ruth: Overwhelming Loss.”

• Nov. 10, “David: Self-Inflicted Wounds.”

• Nov. 17, “Hagar: Rejected, Abandoned, Alone.”

• Nov. 24, “Elijah: Opposition and Despair.”

Sharier to bring Stone Church message

Dennis Sharier will speak on “Respond to Grace” at the 10:20 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Stone Church Community of Christ, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence.

Sharier is the Pastor for Ministries of Disciple Formation at Stone Church, and his passion is teaching Temple School Classes, which he has done for a number of years. He holds the priesthood office of Elder. Ronald Yager Sr. will preside. Others participating in the service are Esther Mills, Amy Sharier, and Donald Mills. Special music by Terri Rathbun and Clare Vlahos.

Services have captioning for the hearing impaired. For information, call 816-254-2211 or visit www.stone-church.org.

Luffman to address Groves congregation

High Priest Dale Luffman gives the morning message on the theme “Respond to Grace” at 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. communion services on Sunday, Nov. 3, at The Groves Community of Christ Congregation in Independence.

Luffman is retired from the Council of Twelve Apostles, but continues to serve on the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches representing Community of Christ Church. He holds a doctor of ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania. Christina Nagel and Brenda Williams will preside, with Jan Marshall, Tom Peterson, Al Baughman and Irvin Jones assisting. Music ministry by pianist Judy Luffman and vocalist Mary Buxbaum.

All are welcome.

World Community

Day celebration

The Church Women United will celebrate World Community Day at 10 a.m. Monday at Beacon Heights Community of Christ Church, 19200 East Holke Road, Independence.

Every church congregation in Independence is invited to send at least one woman to the gathering. The 2013 celebration is about “Walking Through Doors of Opportunity.” An offering will be taken for the Church Women United national movement. Also on display will be a contemporary painting of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, by local artist and CWU Historian Bette Kunkle.

St. Matthew UMC

sets turkey dinner

St. Matthew United Methodist Church will hold a turkey dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the church, 2415 R.D. Mize Road, Independence.

The menu includes turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and all the trimmings, plus drinks. The cost is $8 for adults, and $4 for children 10 years old and younger. Proceeds will support the mission projects of the United Methodist Women and needs of the church.

For information, call Shirley 816-716-1184.

Chapel Hill

Family Forum

Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church is having its second annual Family Forum.

It’s from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8 and at 9 a.m. Nov. 9 at the church, 3108 W. U.S. 40, Blue Springs. The aim is to learn skills to allow parents to deepen family relationships through programs led by experts in child development, education and youth ministries. Charles Fonbeuna, a consultant with the Franklin Covey Education Practice, will make a presentation entitled, “7 Habits of Successful Families: Raising Happy Kids and Building Effective Families.” He is the author of “Time Management for Moms and Other Executives” and “Leadership is a Way of Life – Teen Edition.”

Childcare will be available for children up through fifth grade. There is no charge for the event or child care. For more information and to register, call 816-229-3367 or visit www.chresby.org.

You are invited to join in a celebration of Veteran’s Day and America. Organists will be performing patriotic music and music written by American composers. Larry Lasater from Trinity Episcopal Church, Sharon Holtz from Messiah Lutheran Church, Boyd Arens from St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, and John Arndt will be the organists. There will be a reception following the concert.

For more information, call Barbara Leabo at 816-254-0123.

Good Shepherd

helping veterans

Good Shepherd Christian Church in Blue Springs will participate in a program with Catholic Charities in assisting veterans and their families in getting a new start. It has been providing 20 gift bags a month, with cleaning and laundry supplies and personal care items.

On Nov. 10, Good Shepherd is inviting all area veterans and their families to the 10 a.m. worship, which will include a celebration and honoring of veterans’ service to the country. For more information, call the church at 816-228-6908.

St. Ann’s Church will have its annual Fall Festival from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 17, at 10109 E. Lexington Ave., Independence.

There will be games, crafts, food, raffles and a magic show performed by Father Branson.

For more information, call 816-252-1160.

Guest organist will perform at Auditorium

Organist Christopher Houlihan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Community of Christ Auditorium, at Walnut Street and River Boulevard, Independence.

Houlihan, a graduate of Trinity College in Connecticut, did graduate work at The Juilliard School in New York, where he studied with organist Paul Jacobs. He earned the “Prix de Perfectionnement” from the French National Regional Conservatory in Versailles. The concert is sponsored by the Kansas City Chapter of American Guild of Organists.

A freewill offering will be taken. For more information, visit www.CofChrist.org/dome_spire.